“63 percent Baloch oppose independence”

Islamabad: As government is trying to woo Baloch leadership through parliamentary committee to hold negotiations and other such options, a The News International on Monday published a Gallup survey report which revealed that support for an independent Balochistan is not popular even amongst a majority of the Baloch population.

The newspaper the Gallup survey for the UK international official body, DFID, conducted on July 20, revealed that that among the Baloch, 37 percent favour independence whereas among the Pashtun population only 12 percent favour that option.

It said the results of the survey have not been made public. The newspaper added the vast majority, according to the survey, opposes the idea of an independent Balochistan. However, 67 percent of the people of Balochistan, including Baloch and Pashtuns, support greater provincial autonomy.

It added 79 percent of the Baloch population and 53 percent of Pashtuns support the idea that the people of Balochistan should have greater control over their political affairs.Balochistan, which is generally a combination of Baloch and Pashtun tribes, through this survey reflects Pashtuns’ tilt to national mainstream as against the recent years increased tendency of Balochi separatism.